Urging MPs from all parties to vote against the proposals, he said:
“For months, we have been constructively attempting to restore devolution in Northern Ireland with the primary focus of mitigating the impact of Brexit on people here.
“And now, the British Government sees fit to introduce legislation that will disempower devolved administrations, centralising power with a cabinet of Brexiteers, free from scrutiny or accountability. That is unacceptable.
“The Brexit Bill, as it currently stands, is an attack on the principles of devolution.
“It can only survive with the support of the DUP.
“They have a decision to make today – will they take a stand for people in Northern Ireland or will they bend the knee to David Davis and Boris Johnson, giving away more of our hard fought for powers to this Tory government?
“Tonight’s vote will again reflect the absence of the voice of Irish nationalism from Westminster. A critical vote, on a knife edge that will have a profound impact on the people of this island. And our community is silenced.
“The SDLP has been cooperating with the SNP and the Labour Party in efforts to oppose this legislation.
“We are again calling on all parties to vote this Bill down. Send the Brexiteers back to the drawing board. This is too big to leave it to the Tories behind closed doors exercising the powers of a medieval dictator.”